Spotter mechanism



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SPOTTER MECHANISM Filed May 2, 1949 v8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Nov. 7, 1950 s. RAPPAPORT ErAL 2,528,912

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S. RAPPAPORT ET AL Nov. 7, 1950 SPOTTER MECHANISM F'led May 2, 1949 MYEYS Patented Nov. 7, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SPQTTER MECHANISM Company, Durham, N. North Carolina C., a corporation of Application May 2, 1949, Serial No. 90,812

This invention relates to spotting mechanisms and particularly to mechanisms capable of receiving and positioning articles with predetermined physical characteristics thereof in a desired oriented position. The invention is pars ticularly directed to such spotting mechanisms adapted to handle round articles and to deliver them to a second mechanism for further processing.

In handling articles or products in industry, it often becomes necessary or desirable to perform certain steps or processes on the article at a particular position on the surface thereof with reference to some physical characteristic of the articles surface. An example of such an occasion is in labelling bottled products. Often the bottle, or other container for a product, has some surface characteristic relative to which it is desirable to definitely position a label or the like. It is also often necessary to aflix two labels or the like to a round container with such labels diametrically opposed or bearing some other predetermined relative relationship. Another instance in which orientation is necessary is in aixing revenue `or other stamps to an article having a label thereon and fr wherein it is necessary to affix or place the stamp in particular relation to such previously applied label. The above examples are merely illustrative since innumerable situations may arise where it is desirable to orient an article prior to perfr, forming some process thereon.

Bottles for packaging many products are obtainable in a form having a continuous and smooth outer surface except for a small projection, adjacent the base of the bottle on a side 2 wall.

Such projections may be used as a reference point relative to which any operation, such as label ailixing, may be performed and a subsequent label aflixing operation performed at a position measured from that projection will always bear the same relationship to the first label aiiixing step.

In general the mechanism of the present invention comprises a rotatable turret structure having peripheral pockets defined at least in part by friction rollers. The turret mechanism is so positioned relative to an article conveyor that rotation of the turret will position successive Vpockets to receive articles from the said conveyor. At least one of the rollers is positively driven in rotation about its axis as the turret rotates on its fixed axis to thus impart a spinning motion to the article in the pocket while simultaneously transporting it from the position in which it was 23 Claims. (Cl. 19E-33) received from the conveyor to the discharge position where it is received by a processing machine or the like. Detecting means are provided in position adjacent, or in, the pocket to engage the surface of the article and detect such projections as previously referred to. Upon detection of the projection the means for driving said spinning roller are disengaged therefrom and the roller is positively locked in the position it occupies at that time. Frictional engagement between the article and the locked roller will thus prevent C' further rotation of the round article while its travel toward the discharge station continues at the same rate. Means are also provided for insuring rm frictional contact between the article and the driving roller at all times. After the article is discharged from the spotting or orientting mechanism a stationary cam engages control elements on the turret to reestablish a driving connection to the article driving roller before it has moved to position to receive another article from the said conveyor.

It is an object of this invention to provide a spotting mechanism rapid in operation, dependable and eiiicient, and of compact, yet rugged, design.

It is another object of this invention to provide a spotting mechanism capable of being adapted to articles of various sizes or diameters by relatively simple adjustment or parts replacement and capable of accommodating articles of various diameters within a limited range of the diameter for which the mechanism is set.

It is another object of this invention to provide a spotting mechanism in which the article is spun or rotated until proper orientation is reached and in which stopping of the rotation of the article is effected by simultaneously declutching drive to the spinner means and locking the article against rotation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a spotting mechanism adapted to receive andk orient articles during their movement through a process and without interrupting the continuous and steady movement of the articles.

It is another object of this invention to provide a spotting mechanism for orienting articles and which is unusually sensitive and rapid in detecting the desired predetermined orientation.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide av spotting mechanism wherein round articles are rotated to the proper position, then stopped and held in that position and wherein the said driving and locking means effect a positive drive and a positive lock.

aszaeie A still further object of the invention is the provision, in a spotting mechanism, of means to prevent the inertia of rotation of the spinning article from carrying it materially past its desired orientation.

Further objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeds in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:

Fig. l is a top plan View of a preferred form of a mechanism embodying the present invention, with its cover plate removed and showing the mechanism in its contemplated relation to a supply conveyor.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the elements defining one pocket of the mechanism with certain details shown in section. Fig. 2 is a view taken substantially from the viewpoint of the line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a substantially radial section through the mechanism taken on the planes indicated by line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view of a portion of the spotter mechanism, taken along the line 4 4 of Fig. 3, and showing the elements associated with a single pocket.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view through the pocket of Fig. 4 but taken along the line 5 5 of Fig. S.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along the line 6 6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. '7 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along the line '1 1 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken along the bent line 3 8 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 9 9 of Fig. 6.

Fig. l0 is a sectional view through a detail of the mechanism and taken substantially along the line lli-H3 of Fig. 5.

Figs. ll and l2 are fragmentary xplan views of the clutch-disengaging and roller-locking means.

Referring now to Fig. l, the spotting mechanism is indicated generally at 2i! and comprises a central fixed shaft 2l defining an axis of rotation for the entire spotter mechanism. A carrier y.plate 22 is mounted on suitable bushings for rotation about the shaft 2| and carries a plurality of radially slidable members 23 on each of which is mounted a pair of friction rollers 24 and 25. A stationary or sun gear 26 is normally held against rotation on the shaft 2l and meshes with planetating gears 2l rotatably mounted on the carrier plate 22. Each of the gears 2l drives a vertical shaft 65. Another gear 98 on shaft E5 (not shown in Fig. l) is in mesh with movable gear 28 which in turn meshes with gear 23 fixed to the roller 25 of each pair. Driving means (not shown) causes the carrier plate 22 to rotate about the shaft 2l and such movement results in the l gears 2l being caused to rotate on their own axes :mechanism in position to move into the pockets dened by each ypair o f rollers 24 and '25 as they move across the conveyor. The guide rail 32 may be curved as shown to extend concentrically 4 about the spotter mechanism and to act as means to hold the articles 33 in the mechanism pockets.

Each of the slidable members 23 is springpressed outwardly so that the rollers 24 and 25 will be caused to press against the articles 33 and urge them outwardly into snug contact with the curved rail 32, thus insuring good frictional contact between the rollers and the article. The movable gear 28, referred to above and to be later described in greater detail, provides for continnous positive driving connection to the roller 25 during any radial movement of the slidable member 23.

The ratio of diameters of the gears comprising the gear train from gear 26 to gear 29 are such, and the direction of rotation of the rollers 25 is such, that the articles 33 in the mechanism pockets will be caused to rotate in such direction and at such speed as to roll without sliding around the concentric -portion of the rail 32.

It is contemplated that articles to be spotted or oriented by the present mechanism be provided with protuberances or projections 34 adjacent their bottom surfaces. Detecting means (not shown in Fig. l) are arranged between each pair of rollers 24 and 25 to be engaged by the projections 34 on the articles as those projections move past the detecting means by virtue of the rotation of the articles. As the detecting means are moved, a latch or sear is withdrawn from adjacent one end of lever I5! so that spring |51 may swing the lever I5l about its axis 53 and actuate a pawl to disengage a clutch in the chain of driving gears described above and to simultaneously lock certain of said gears against rotation to stop rotation of the articles 33 when the projections 34 have reached the predetermined position of orientation adjacent the detecting means referred to.

Upon cessation of the rotation of the rollers 25 the articles in frictional contact therewith will be moved around the axis of the shaft 2l by virtue of the continued rotation of the turret but in sliding contact with the rails 32. The springs, referredY to above, urging the slidable members 23 outwardly, insure sufiicient frictional contact between the rollers 24 and 25 and the articles 33 to prevent the articles from rolling against the rail 32.

The rail i32 terminates at 38 adjacent a receiving station of a subsequent machine (not shown) which will have provision for engaging and removing the articles 33 from the pockets of the spotting mechanism. It will be apparent that each article, as it reaches the end 38 of the rail 32, will be oriented with the projection 34 in predetermined position and each succeeding article to reach that station will be similarly oriented. Thus, the subsequent machine will receive the `articles in properly oriented position to perform some process thereon.

The sliding members 23 also carry upright posts 4G to the upper ends of which are adjustably attached clamp brackets 4l and steadying means Y 42. The rollers 24 and 25 will be positioned adjacent the bottom of the mechanism only slightly above the top of the conveyor 30 and a stationary article supporting plate 43. In mostinjacent the surface of the articles 33 at that level. Preferably the steadying means 42 will not be in actual contact with the surface of the article but will be sufficiently close thereto to exert a steadying'eifect if there is any tendency for the articles to fall inwardly toward the spotting mechanism.

Preferably, the rail 32 will be spaced a substantial distance above the top surface of the conveyor 30 and plate 4.3 and a second similar rail 32A (see Fig. 3) will be positioned at the same level as the rollers 24 and 25. Such an arrangement of rails is not mandatory and any suitable arrangement may be provided that will produce the desired result.

Referring now to Fig. 3, the elements comprising a single pocket and associated means briefly referred to above, will be described in detail. All pockets are duplicates, so only one need be described in detail. The plate 5|] may be any suitable stationary support and is fixed relative to the conveyor 30. A hub member or boss 5I is rigidly attached to the plate 50 and assists in positioning and supporting the central stationary shaft 2| previously referred to. The shaft 2| may be attached to the plate 50 my means of a reduced neck portion and a suitable nut as shown and a set screw 52 may extend through the hub or boss 5| to assist in locking the shaft 2| against rotation. The upper surface of the boss 5| defines a shoulder 5'3 upon which a suitable bearing element 54 rests. A rotatable bushing or bearing element 55 surrounds the shaft 2| and constitutes a support for a hub member 56. The hub 56 has an outwardly extending central flange 51 to which =a gear 58 is suitably attached by means of bolts or otherwise. The carrier plate 22, previously referredvto, is also bolted or otherwise fixedly attached to the flange 51 of the hub 56. The gear 58 constitutes the main driving gear for the mechanism Aand a power-driven pinion (not shown), suitably connected to a source of power and journalled on the plate 50, meshes therewith to impart rotation to the hub 5,6VA and the carrier plate 22.

'I'he carrier plate 22 is provided with a circumferentially spaced series of openings 59, there being one opening for each oftheslidable members 23. j

A guide member 60 having a rectangular upper portion (see Fig. 6) is provided with an intermediate boss 6| (Fig. 3) and a lower cylindrical boss portion 62. The portions 6| and 62 of the guide 68 are of different diameters, thus defining a shoulder 63 therebetween. The lower portion 62 of the member 68 is of such size as to be received with a press t in the opening 59 of the carrier plate 22. In operation the member 60 is, in effect, an integral portion of the carrier plate 22. The member 6l) is further provided with a central Vertical bore in which suitable bushings 64 are positioned to rotatably support a vertical shaft 65. Y

The intermediate portion 6| of the member 60 positions a spacer 66 (see also Fig. 6) of generally circular shape but having a portion at the outer edge thereof cut away as at 66a. The slidable members 23 are provided with openended slots 61 (Fig. 6) of such width as to receive the upper rectangular portion ofthe guide members 60 for free sliding contact but sufficiently snugly to be' guided thereby for sliding movement radially of the carrier lplate 22. The inner open ends of the slots 61 are lclosed by a vbridge member 68 which'also supports an adjustable stop screw 69. A spring 1D bears at one end against the bushing 55 projecting above the hub 56 and at its other end bears against the bridge member 68. As shown, lthe spring 10 surrounds the inwardly projecting portion ofthe adjustable stop screw 69. The spring 10 constantly urges the slidable member` 23 radially outwardly of the carrier plate 22 and the screw 69 will limit the outward movement of the member 23 when-its end engages the innermost end of the guide member 60. The spacer 66, referred to above, extends laterally of the guide member 60 a considerable distance and constitutes a support over which the slide member 23 slides in-its radial movement. vThe upper rectangular portionof the guide member 60 is of at least the same thickness as the slide 23 and has its upper surface practically coextensiv'e with the upper surface of thesaid slide 23 or slightly thereabove. Cross members or gibs 1I are attached to the top surface of the guide member 60 and extend laterally therebeyondto overlie-the top surface of the slide 23 and effectively conne the slide to radial movement without tilting. The members 1| also prevent vertical displacement of the slides 23V relative to the guide 60.

Referring again to Fig. 3,-a locking collar 12 surrounds the shaft 65 and engages the upper surface of the guide member 60l to prevent down- --ward axial displacement of the shaft 65.

'The collar 12 is xed to the shaft 65 by means ofsuitable set screws or the like. The collar 12 also acts as a support for the outer race 13 of a clutch to be described.

The outer race 13 is journalled on the shaft 65 by means of a suitable bushing 14 and may rotate freely thereon. The gear 21 is keyed to a hub portion of the outer race 13 and is the gea-r 21 referred to in connection with Fig. 1 that was described as being in meshl with xed gear 26. It will be apparent that rotation of the carrier plate 22 about the shaft 2| will result in rotation of the gear 21 about the axis of the shaft 65.

AAs shown in Fig. 3 the bushing 55 on shaft 2| is surmounted by a spacing collar 14a which in turn supports a central member 15 suitably keyed to the shaft 2|, as at 16, and having an outwardly extending flange 11 at its lowermost end and external threads 18 at the top thereof. The flange 11 supports a frictiondisc 19 inengagement withn a downwardly facing surface of a recess 80 in the central portion of the gear 26.

A friction plate 8| overlies the upper surface of the gear 26 and is in frictional contact therewith. An adjustable nut 82 is provided with interna] screw threads engaging the threads 18 of the member 15 whereby it may be axially positioned in spaced relation to the friction disc 8|. The adjusting nut 82 is provided with a series of recesses 83 facing similar recesses 84 in the friction disc 8|. Compression springs 85 have their ends positioned in the opposed recesses 83 and 84 and a locking pin or key 86, carried by the nut 82, extends into an opening 81 in the friction disc 8| to lo'ck the friction vdisc and adjustable nut against relative rotation. VVThe springs 85 exert pressure on the friction disc 8| to clamp the gear 26 between the said friction disc 8| and the friction disc 19 previously described. The

frictional gripping of the gear 26 is sufficient to v adjacent their respective flat surfaces 9|.

clutch. y Y.

. 7 toiturnrelative -to the shaft 2| without stripping any of the gears of the said trains lor otherwise damaging the' mechanism. A suitable lock nut- 88 is threaded to the central member '|5 and is' adaptedvto jam against the adjustable nut 82 to lock it in position on the central member 15. The outerrace |3, previously referred to, is provided with a central recess or opening 89 (see also Fig. 5) surrounding and containing an inner race 90 keyed to the shaft 65. The outer surfaceY ofjthe inner race 90 is spaced inwardly of Vthe inner surface of the recess 89 and is provided with flat or cam surfaces 9| between which, and theinner surface of the recess 89, rollers 92 Yare positioned. A cage member 93 has an annular portion extending downwardly into the ceive the rollers 92 and confine them to positions The clutch construction described, including the elements '|3, 90, 92 and 93 are -conventional and of standard construction. They may be obtained on the open market as an assembled unit so need not be described in greater detail. Spring means (not. shown) bias the cage 93 for rotationrelative to the inner race 90 so as to position the rollers 92 to effect-driving of the inner race 90 by This feature is commercially obtainable rotation'of the outer race 13; also afeature of the YA gear V94 is fixed to the cage 93, concentrically about the axis of shaft 65, and extends radially outwardly beyond the outermost surface of the outer race 13. A suitable collar 95 is keyed to the shaft 65 above the cage 93 and has ratchet wheel 9B aixed thereto to beheld against rotation relative to the shaft 65. The ratchet wheel 96 and the gear 94 are of about the same outer and root diameters and lie relatively closely adjacent each other, being only slightly spaced apart in a vertical direction. Fig. l1 shows a fragmentary portion of the ratchet wheel 96 and the gear 94 inthe relative positions they assume when the VVclutch is -conditionedlits normal condition) for transmitting driving torque therethrough. As vis -evident yfrom Fig. 11, the gear 94 is provided with-conventional gear teeth whereas the ratchet kdisc or wheel 96V is provided with conventional ,ratchet'or buttressnteeth at its periphery. The

gear '9 4 and the wheel-u96 are provided with the samenumber of teeth. When the clutch is in driving Ycondition the teeth of the ratchet wheel 96 are out-of-registry with the teeth vof the gear 94, all as clearly shown in Fig. ll. frFurther ref- Vend of the guide member 69 and constitutes a holding means to prevent vertical displacement of the shaft 65'in an upward direction relative to the guide member 69 and carrier plate 22.

YThe collar '|2,lpreviously described, prevents downward movementof the shaft G5 Yrelative-tn the guide member 60. From the structure thus far described, and with, the roller clutch inoperative condition, rotation ofthe plate22 vabout the shaft 2| will result in the gear 21 planetating around thegear 26 thus causing the outer race 13 and the inner race 9 0, along with shaft Vr65 and gear 98, to rotate in the same direction. Referring now to Fig. 6, the slide 23-is shown as'beinglprovided at its outermost corner por- .bracket |05 is provided with a vertically extend- Ying stub shaft |06 which projects both above and ybelow-the saidfree end of theY bracket |05.- A

roller |97 isV journalled` on the stub shaft |06 above the bracket |05 and lies substantially in the plane of the spacer 66. The downwardly projecting end of the stub shaft |06 mounts a suitable anti-friction bearing |08 which rotatably mounts the idler or movable gear 28, described in connection with Fig. 1. The gear 28 is in mesh with the gear 98 on the lower end of the shaft 65 and also meshes with gear 29. The gear-29 is rotatably mounted on va downwardly projecting neck |09 of the shaft |02 by means of suitable anti-friction bearings ||0. The gear 29 also has a downwardly extending cylindrical portion providing a `support for retaining ring |-|2 and a friction ring or roller ||3. The friction ring ||`3 may be of rubber or other 'similar material having a high coecient of |28. Theroller |21 also lies in the vas the lspacer member 66.

.member 23 in the samel manner.

'friction andv constitutes the .article-contacting elementrof the friction roller 25. A nut ||4 threaded to the lowermost end of the cylindrical portion l|.|'| serves to retain the retainer |2 and the friction ring ||3 in assembled and xed relation Vto 'the gear29.,A nut or theflike ||5 screwed to thelowermost end of the shaft |02 Yto retain the anti-friction bearings ||0 in position on the shaft.

Y The shaft |0| at the opposite side of the slide 23 (Figs. .6, '7 and 9) is of a construction similar to the shaft 02 andis mountedto .the slide The friction roller 24 is rotatably mounted 0n the shaft |0| by :suitable anti-friction bearings |20, ,retained in -position by-a nut |2| or the like. Thero'ller 24 comprises a central tubular member |22 rotatably supported by the bearings |20 and havinga threaded lower end to receive a nut |23. The nut I23 holds a friction ring |24 andretainer |25 in assembled relation to the member |22.by compressing the said retainer and frictionA ring betweenthe nut |23 and ashoulder V|2211 on the cylindrical member |22. The ring |24 Vmayalso be of rubber or other suitable ma- .teriall'having a high coefficient of friction. The shaft |0| is provided with a bearing portion immediately above the roller 24 similar to the bearing Vportion |04 of the shaft |02 and supports a bracket |26 for rotation thereabout. rlhe bracket |29 extends inwardly as does the bracket |05 and carries a roller 21 on an upwardly extending pin same plane Referringnow to Fig. 2, the lower right hand portion of y. which shows the mounting/for the roller 24 in partialsection, the retainer |25 is provided with an-v outwardly extending iiange portion overlying. the friction ring |24 and having an upwardly facing surface upon which a vfriction ring or brake shoe |30 is positioned.

The bracket |26 has opposed outwardly extending ears |3| (see also Figl) carrying downwardlyrextending pins' |32. The pins |32 are frictionally retained in openings-in the ears |3| and extend*V downwardly into diametrically opposed openings |33y in the brake element |30.

The pins |32 t the openings |33 rather loosely and springs |34 abut against the ears 3| and the brake shoe |30 to urge the brake shoe downwardly in frictional contact with the retainer |25. It will be apparent that the roller 24 is free to rotate about the axis of its supporting shaft but such rotation is resisted by the brake I shoe |30 which is held against rotation by the pins |32. The purpose for this structure will be described later.

As stated previously, the rearwardly extending brackets and |26 (see Figs. 6 and '7) vare freely rotatable on the shafts |02 and |0I, respectively. Adjacent its innermost end each of the brackets |05 and |26 is provided with a suitable eyelet |40 engaged by an end of a common tension spring |4|. The tension spring |4| urges the inner ends of the brackets toward each other so that the axes of the rollers carried by those brackets moved toward the line poining the axis of the gear 98 and the axis upon which the bracket rotates. Each of the rollers |01 and |21 will be moved under the influence of the spring |4| into rolling contact with the cylindrical peripheral portion of the spacer 66. Thus, the bracket |26 will be held against substantial rotation about its axis even when the slid-e 23 upon which it is mounted moves radially of the carrier platel 22, at which time the roller |21 will `merely roll around the periphery of the spacer 66 a short distance. thus effective to hold the brake shoe substantially stationary at al1 times. In like` manner the roller |01 carried by the bracket |05 will be held constantly in engagement with the peripheral surface of the spacer 66. The'radius of the circular portion of the spacer 66 plus the radius of the roller |01 is equal to the sum of the pitch radii of the gears 28 and 96. The roller |01 thus acts to maintain the pitch circles of the gears 28 and 99 tangent at all times and prevent jamming of their teeth even though the spring |4| urges the gear 28 radially inwardly of the gear 98. By this larrangement the slide 23 and gear 29 are permitted to move radially of the carrier plate 22 relative to the gear 98 while maintaining effective and proper mesh between the gears 28, 29 and 98. The-spacing between the axes of the shafts |02 and |06 are equal to the sum of the pitch radii of the gears 28 and 29 so that the pitch circles of those two gears v cent slides 23 supports a pawl arm |46 for rota- P tion. The pawl arm |46 is provided with a pawl element |41 complementary in shape to the teeth of the ratchet wheel 96 previously described and also carries `a pawl element |48 of generally wedge or rack tooth shape. The pawl element |48 is of such shape that it will snugly enter the space between the peripheral teeth on the `gear 94. Since the gear 94, fixed to the cage 93 of the roller clutch, is axially spaced below the ratchet wheel 96, the pawl element 440 is spaced an equal distance below the upper portion of the pawl element |41 and each of the pawl elements |41 and |48 have portions lying in thev same planes as the ratchet wheel 96 and gear 94, respectively. The pawl arm |46 is swing'able from the position shown in Fig. 4 inwardly about the axis of |45 toward the ratchet and gear referred to to engage the pawl elements |41 and |40 in the grooves or spaces between the teeth, as shown The bracket |26 isv in Fig. 12. The lateral relative spacing betweenpawl elements |41 and |48 is such that the pawl elements will not enter the spaces between the teeth of wheels 94 and 96 without imparting relative rotation to those wheels from the position of Fig. 11 to the relative position shown in Fig. 12, all'as will be-clearly apparent from the drawings. from the position of Fig. 11 to that of Fig. 12 results in relative rotation between the inner race and the cage 93 of the roller clutch previously described. Such relative rotation will so move the rollers 92 relative to the surfaces 9i (see Fig. 5) that the driving connection from the race 13 to the inner race 90 is broken and continued rotation of the outer race 13 will be inoperative to drive the inner race and shaft 65 to which it is keyed.

When the pawl arm |46 moves to the position shown in Fig. 12 the pawl elements |41 and |48 will positively look the wheels 94 and 96 against rotation and since the wheel 96 is rigid with the vshaft 65, the train of gears 28, 29 and 90 will be clamps that shaft to the slide 23V and has an upward extension |53 supporting a bushing |54 upon which the lever |5| is mounted. The extension |53 provides a relatively long bearing `surface for the bushing |54 and lever I5! The lever |5| is provided with an upwardly extending roller |55 mounted thereto by a suitable bolt |56. The

roller |55 is of a diameter only slightly less than .j

the width of the groove or slot |50- of the pawl arm |46 and constitutes a driving connection between the lever |5| and the pawl arm |46. VThe lever |5| is biased by a tension spring |51, having one end attached to the lever andthe other end attached to the slide 23,v in a direction to swing the pawl armll yto project the pawl elements |41 and |43 into thewheels 96 and 94. As

vshown in Fig. 4, the axis about which the lever |5| rotates is so positioned relative to the roller |55 and the directionr of the slot |50 that a multiplication of force is attained. The forcel of the spring 51 is multipled as applied to the lever |46 since the roller |56 moves in a direction having its major component parallel to the .sides of the slot |50. Movement of a relatively small magnif tude of the pawl elements |41 and l48 will be sufficient, whereas the end of the lever-15| to which spring |51 is attached may move through a` considerable distance in driving the pawl arm |46. Thus the spring |51 will be able to project the pawl elements into the ratchet and lgear f wheels and exert sumcient force to effect relative rotation of thosewheels and to hold them in positively locked position. Y

As shown in Fig. 5, the lever |5| has an elonv vreferred to. The sear |63 is adjustably carried on the uppermost end of a shaft |65 (seealso Fig. 10). The slide 23 is provided with an open- Relative rotation ofthe wheels 94 and 96 -ing |66 through', which a tubular bracket |61 ings |10, within the tubular bracket |61, rotat-l ably support the shaft |65. A stop collar |1| is adjustably clamped, adjacent the upper`end of the shaft |65, to'a hub portion |12 of the sear |63. The stop collar |1| is provided with an outwardly extending ringer |13 (see Fig. 5) engageable with a stop pin |14 extending upwardly from an ear |68 of the bracket |61. A set screw |15 assists in clamping the sear |63 to the shaft |65 and is provided with an opening at its outer end to receive one end of the spring 64. The other end of spring |64 is attached to the slide 23 by a suitable eyelet element |16. The spring |64 constantly urges the sear |63 and the linger |13 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 5 -b-ut the stop pin |14 limits that movement to such an extent that the end surface of the sear |63 moves into position to just engage the surface |62 of the lever |5| only slightly inwardly of the end surface |6|.

The lowermost end of the shaft |65 has a split bracket |80 clamped thereto as by screw |8| (Fig. 7). The bracket |80 (see Figs. '7 and 16) carries a pin |62 eccentric to the shaft |65 and upon which a roller |83 is rotatably mounted. With the sear parts in the position shown in Fig. 5 the roller |83 will be so positioned that its outer surface lies closely adjacent the outer surface of an article 33 in the pocket defined by the rollers 24 and 25. Since the sear |63, the finger |13 'and the bracket i3!) are angularly adjustable about the shaft |65, it is apparent that the elements may be so adjusted as to position the roller |83 in any desired vposition radially of the spotting Y mechanism, within limits, to lie closely adjacent the surfaces of round articles of different diameters.

As the article 33, shown in Fig; 5, is rotated in a clockwise direction by movement of the spotting mechanism to the right and under the in- Viluence of Vrotation of roller 25,` the' projection 34 Will-progress past the roller 25 and in positionl to engage the detector roller i 33. Since the roller |83 normally lies closely adjacent the surface of `the article 33, movement ofthe projection w34 therepast will force the roller |83 inwardly, thus imparting Ya counter-clockwise rotation to the Vs ear |63 Vand withdrawal of the sear past the surface |6| of lever |5| permitting spring |51 toV swing 'lever |5| counter-clockwise. As the lever |5| swings vcounter-clockwise as described,

the roller |55 carried thereby and engagingv in the slotV |56v of' the pawl arm |46 will cause the pawl arm to swing clockwise, as seen in Fig.V 4, sufficiently to project the pawl elements |41 and |48 into the teeth of the wheels 94 and 96. Such projection of the pawl elements into the said Y ratchet wheel 65 against rotation which, in turn,

positively locks the roller 25 against rotation.

Since the-roller 25 has been locked against rotation and its surface `has a high kcoeilicient of friction against the surface of the article 33, rotation of the article will be stopped. The spring 10 urging the slide 23 outwardly maintains rm out rotating on its own axis.

pressure contact between the rollers 24 and 25 and the article 33 to thus insure a good grip on the article 33 while forcingl it against the rail 32. 'Continued movement of the carrier plates 22 in a counter-clockwise direction will cause the article 33 to slide around against the rail 32 with- Such sliding movement takesplace with the projection 34 of each succeedingV article inthe same position relative to the detector roller |83 so that all articles are carried to the discharge station, at the end 36 of the rail 32, in the same position of orientation. At that position a machine positioned to subsequently operate on the articles may grip or otherwise engage the articles and remove them from the spotting mechanism described herein.l Such subsequent machines form no part ofthe present invention andare not shown or described.

After removal of properly oriented articles 'from the spotting mechanism it is necessary to restore l the driving mechanism for the roller 25 to operative condition. To accomplish this purpose a bell crank lever 260 is pivoted at an intermediate point to the vertical shaft |45 upon which the pawl arm |46 is pivotally mounted (see Fig. 4). The

bell crank 200 and the pawl arm |46 are pivotally l mounted on the shaft |45 for independent pivotal movement. The bell crank 200 has an outwardly extending portion provided with an openended slot 20| extending parallel to the slot |56 in the pawl arm |46. The slot 20| of the bell crank embraces .a pinv 203 extending upwardly from the lever |5| and carried thereby in a position eccentric toV the axis of its pivotal support |53. The previously described swinging of the lever |5| by spring |51 will cause the bell crank V20|) to swing about its pivot to follow movements of the pin 263 and since the lever |5| moves counter-clockwise as seen in Fig. 4 under influence of the spring |51, the bell crank 200 will be rotated clockwise to project its innermost end 204 radially inwardly of the spotting mechanism. The innermost end 204 ofthe bell crank 200 carries a roller 205 freely'rotatable thereon and lying substantially coplanar with the peripheral edge of a cam 206 rigidlyixed to the central shaft 2| upon which the spotting mechanism is mounted. As shown best in Fig. l, the cam '206 is provided with an .outertrack portion 261 of substantially uniform radius and a second or clearance portion 266 of considerably lesser radius than the portion 201. Suitable roller-engaging surfaces join ther portions .208 and 201. AsY also clearly evident from Fig. 1, the rollers 205 will engage the riser portion 209 of the cam 256 immediately after Iremoval of the article 33 from the spotting mechanism; As the roller 265 engages the riser 209, the bell crank 2001is caused to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction on Vits pivotal mounting until the roller 205 -reaches the portion 261 of the cam. Such counter-clockwise movement of the bell crank 260 will impart a clockwise rotation to the lever 5 I, through pin 203 in slot 20|, to project the end portion |66 of the lever |5| radially inwardly sufficiently for the surface VV| 62 to clear the end of the sear |63. As the end |60 and surface |62 of the lever |5| clear the end of the vsear |63, spring |64 will-rotate the sear'|63 clockwise until the finger |13 engages stop in |14, all as previously dements |41 and |48 from the wheels 34 and 96.

Such Withdrawal of the pawl elements from the wheels Will release those wheels tothe clutch resetting spring (previously mentioned, but not shown) to reset the roller clutch to restore driving relationship from the gear 26 to the roller 25.

After the rollers and associated mechanisms dening a single pocket of the mechanism have progressed past the receiving station and an article from the conveyor 30 is positioned in thev pocket, continued rotation of the spotting mecha- -nism in a counter-clockwise direction will cause the roller 205 to pass off the end of the portion 201 of cam 206 to lie outwardly of the clearance portion 208. No great magnitude of movement of the roller 205 occurs at this time since the lever will rotate counter-clockwise only sufficiently to bring the surface |62 against the end face of the sear |63, as shown in Fig. 5. Further movement of the lever I5 and consequently bell crank 200, is arrested at this point and continued movement of the spotting mechanism counter-clockwise will produce the detecting and spotting or orienting operation of the article 33 as previously described. The cam 206 is so proportioned that rollers 205 pass off the high part 201 of the cam at about the same time an article enters a pocket. When the projection 34 of the article trips the se'ar |63 and releases the lever .|5| to the action `of the spring 57 the bell crank 200 will be caused to move clockwise and project its roller 205 radially inwardly of the cam 206, substantially to the position shown in the lower right hand 4portion of Fig. 1. This innermost position of the roller 205 is still outwardly of the low portion 208 of the cam 206 but is radially inwardly of the high portion 201 of that cam so the roller will bein position to engage the riser 209 after the article 33 has been removed from the mechamsm.

A suitable split clamp member 2|0 is arranged togrip and, compress a split hub 2|| of the cam 206 (Figs. 1 and 3) to frictionally l-ock the cam 206 to the shaft 2| whereby it may be angularly adjusted when occasion demands.

It is contemplated that a protective cover 2|5 (see Fig. 3) be arranged over the mechanisms described'duringoperation to protect the said mechanisms against accidental damage from foreign matter or objects likely to fall thereon.

The cover member 2| 5 is preferably a large disclike element clamped to the upper ends of posts 220 extending upwardly from the rotatable carrier plate -22 from spaced peripheral positions between adjacent slides 23.

The friction brake connection, previously referred to, between friction roller 24 and bracket |26 performs two principal functions. First, it assists in stopping rotation of an article when the driving roller 25 stops, by absorbing some `of the kinetic energy of rotation of the article,

to insure stopping rotation of the article immediately after the projection 34 passes the detector roller |83. Second, the roller 24 partially resists 14 vides for accommodation of articles 'varying slightly-from that nominal size. Preferably, the stop bolt 69 will be set to engage the end of guide 60 when the space between the rollers 24 and 25 and the rail 32 is just suicient to receive any article of minimum size. Articles of greater than minimum size will cause thesli'de 23 to slide inwardly andr compress spring '|0. -Such radial movement'of slide23 will not affectthe position ofleve'r |5|,' pawl arm |46, or reset bell crank 200 since the pin 203 and roller |55 are free to move, with slide 23, along slots 20| and |50, respectively. The slots |50 and 20| are arranged to lie parallel to the direction of movement of the slide 23 as long as the roller 25 is being driven'. Y,

Although a single preferred embodiment of the spotting mechanism has been. shown and described, it is apparent that many changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention. It is intended that the invention be limited, not by the illustrations and description, but by the appended claims only.

We claim: l. In a spottingmechanism for round articles, a support having means defining an axis, a carrier mounted for rotation about said axis, a pair of spaced parallel rollers rotatably mounted on said carrier, driving means for rotating one of said rollers in response to rotation of said carrier about said axis, said rollers dening a peripheral Vpocket to receive a round article, and means engageable with an article to hold the same fin said pocket and against said rollers.

2. In a spotting mechanism 'for round articles, a support having means vdefining an axis, a carrier mounted for rotation about said axis, apair of spaced parallel rollers rotatably mounted on said carrier, driving means for rotating one of said rollers in response to rotation of said carrier Vmovement of said detecting means to render said driving means inoperative to rotate said roller.

3. A mechanism as defined in claim 2,*wherein said rollers are carried by a member slidable radially of said carrier.

' 4. In av spotting mechanism for round articles, a support having means dening an axis, a carrier mounted for rotation about said axis, a pair of spaced parallel rollers rotatably mounted on said carrier, a rst gear xed on said support concentric to said axis, a second gear rotatably mounted on said carrier in mesh with said'frst gear, and driving means between said second gear and one of saidV rollers, said rollers defining a peripheral pocket to receive a round article, and means engageable with' an article to hold the same in said pocket and against said rollers.

5. In a spotting mechanismfor round articles,

a support having means dening an axis, a carrier mounted for rotation about said axis, a slide carried by'said carrier' for radial sliding movement thereon, a pair of spaced parallel friction y rollers rotatably carried by saidfslide, means normally urging said slide radially outwardly of said carrier, a rst gear rotatably mounted on said carrier, ya second gear fixed relative to one of said rollers, a third gear in mesh with said first andsecond' gears, said third gear beingmovable toward' and fromva line joining the axes of said iirstandsecond gears, and means normally urging saidV third gear toward said line.

6. A mechanism as defined in claim 5, wherein said third gear is rotatably carried by an arm pivoted to said slide. v

7. A mechanism as dened .in claim-5, wherein said vthird gear is rotatably carried by an arm pivoted to said slide about the axis'of said second gear and roller. Y

8. A spotting mechanism as dened in claimv5, wherein said third gear is rotatably carried by an arm pivoted to said slide about the axis of said second gear andv roller, a guide surface adjacent said first gear and concentric to said rst gear axis, and means carried by said pivoted arm and engageable with said guide surface when the pitch circles of said iirst and third gears are tangent.

9. A spottingmechanism defined in claim 8, wherein said: last-named means comprises a rollercoaxial with s-aidthird gear.

. 10. In a spotting mechanism for round articles, a support having means dening an axis, aV car.- rie'rmounted for rotation about said axis, a pair off-spaced parallel rollers rotatably mounted on saidcarriendriving means for rotating one of said rollers when said carrier rotates about said axis, said rollers defining a peripheral pocket to receive a round article, and means eng-ageable with an article to hold the same in said pocket and against said rollers, and friction brake means engageable with the other of lsaid rollers to yieldably resist rotation thereof.

l1-1'., A mechanism as dened in claim 1, wherein said last-named means comprises a fixed rail concentric to said axis and wherein said driving means are arranged vto drive said roller in such direction-and Aat such speed relative tothe direc- -tionl and speed of -said c-arrier that a round article insaid pocket will roll against-said xed rail.

,. 12.-v In a-spotting mechanism for round articles,

a support having means dening'an axis, a carrier Vmounted for rotating about-said axis, a `pair,

of spaced parallelrollers rotatably mounted on said carrier.driving means for'rotating one of said rollers when said carrier rotates about said axis, said rollers defining a peripheral' pocket tol receive a round article, and means engageable y with an article to hold the same in said pocket and against said rollers, movable detecting means on said carrier in position Ato engage and be moved by a surface undulation of said ,round article, and means operable upon movement of said detecting means to render said driving means inoperative to rotate said roller, said driving means comprising a clutch land a' toothed-Wheel between said clutch and roller, said means operable upon movement `of said detectingmeanstodisengage said clutch and lock said toothed wheel and4 said one roller against rotation.

Y L13,. In'a. spotting mechanism for round articles, a support having means dening an axis, a carrier mounted forY .rotation about said-axis, a pair of .spaced parallel rollers' rotatably fmounted on ing means Ato render said driving 'means inoperative to rotate saidA roller, said vdriving means comprising a clutch and a toothed wheel driven thereby, said toothed Wheel being in positive driving relation to said one roller, a movable pawl, and means operable upon movement of said detecting means to disengage said clutch and move said pawl against said toothed wheel tolock said one roller against rotation.

14. In a spotting mechanism for round articles, a plurality of spaced rollers -dening an opensided pocket, driving meansfor rotating one of said rollers on its axis, means engageable with a round article in said pocket to hold the same against said rollers, and friction brake means between another of said rollers and its support to resist rotation of said roller.

15. In a spotting mechanism for round articles, a plurality of spaced rollers de'ning an opensided pocket, driving means for rotating one of said rollers on its axis, means engageable with a round article in said pocket'to hold the same against said rollers, movable detecting means in position to engage and be moved by a surface undulation of an -article being rotated in said pocket, said driving means comprising a clutch having partsrelatively rotatable to engage and disengage the same, one of said-parts being in positive driving relation to said one of said rollers, said parts comprising concentric toothed Wheels, means normally urging said parts in relative rotation ina direction to engage said clutch, pawl -means under the control of said detecting means,

said `pawl lmeans including relatively iixed pawl elements movableA intoV engagement with said toothed Wheels to substantially simultaneously rotate said wheels relative to each other to disengage said clutch and tolock said one of said parts against. rotation.

l 16. A mechanism as defined in claim 15, wherein said pawl means are normally urged into engagement with said toothed wheels, latch means to retain said pawl means in retraoted'position',

said latch means beingv movable bysaid detecting means; 1 f

- 17. A'mechanism as defined in claim 15,'wherein said pawl means are carried'by a first vpivoted arm, a pivoted lever, a driving connection between Vsaid arm and lever comprising an eccentric pin on said lever engaging a generally radial slot in saidfarm, resilient means urging-said lever in a direction to-project said pawl means against said toothed wheels, and a latch' to retain said lever in retracted position, said latch being movable by said detecting means..

18. A mechanismas defined in claim 17, including resetting meansk to move Vsaid* lever into retractedposition behind said latch.

. 19. A mechanism as defined in claim 15, including a rotatable carrier and wherein said rollers are mounted on said rotatable carrier and further including reset means to retract said pawly means fromv said toothed wheels,said reset means comprising an element carried bysaid rotatable carrier andengageable with a non-rotatable cam.

20. In a spotting mechanism for Vround articles, a support havingA means defining an axis, a carrier mounted for rotation about said axis, a slide carried by said: carrier for radial vsliding movementV thereon, la .pair of spaced parallel friction rollers rotatably carried by said slide, means normallyurging said slide radially outwardly of said carrier, driving means on said `carrier for rotating one of said rollers as said carrier rotates on said axis, detecting means on said slide in position to detect surface undulations of said round article, a first means on said slide and movable thereon in response to operation of said detecting means, a second means carried by said carrier for movement thereon to render said driving means inoperative todrive said roller, said rst and second means engaging each other in sliding contact along a surface to transmit movement of said first means laterally of said surface to said second means to effect rendering said drive means inoperative, said surface extending parallel to the direction of movement of said slide on said carrier,

21. A mechanism as dened in claim 20, Wherein said rst and second means comprise levers pivoted to said slide and carrier, respectively, and wherein a projection on the lever on said slide engages a slot in the other lever, the Said slot extending parallel to the direction of movement of the slide on the said carrier.

22. A mechanism as defined in claim 20, further including a resetting means movably carried by said carrier and engageable with said rst means to transmit movement thereto to restore said driving means to operative conditions, said resetting means engaging said rst means along a surface extending parallel to the direction of movement of said slide on said carrier.

23. In a spotting mechanism for round articles, a support, a slide movable on said support, orient- `18 ing means carried by said slide to engage a round article and rotate it to bring a physical characteristic thereof to a predetermined position, driving means extending from said support to said orientingrmeans, means responsive to arrival of said characteristic at said predetermined position to effect movement of an element on said slide in a direction transverse to the movement of said slide on said support, a member movable on said support and engageable With said element along a surface extending parallel to the direction of movement of said slide on said support, said member being movable by said movement of said element to render said driving means inoperative.

SIGMUND RAPPAPORT. BAXTER G, PROCTOR, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,743,018 Magnusson Jan. 7, 1930 2,109,505 Rue Mar. 1, 1938 2,222,503 Essen Nov. 19, 1940 2,222,504 Essen Nov. 19, 1940 2,293,553 Magnusson Aug, 1a, 1942 2,426,433 Carter Aug. 26, 1947 

